Adele Williams

Wood firing is always a group effort for me, its hot, dusty and tiring but it also brings us together, firings our work as a team. Back at @oxfordkilns again 😊 this time with @clay.collective firing using the 3 fast fire kilns. Pure girl power dream team from the studio was @milo.made.ceramics @alice.g.ceramics @valentinebenoist.ceramics and I, plus @lisa_sjukur_ceramic , @ella_cairns , also @cinimati flying in from Sicily and @mariaroyde from Barcelona Ive got a bunch more pics and vids to compile and share but heres some quick shot of my pieces coming out of the kilns.

Here we go!!!✨ ‘Nature as Laboratory’ imagines a laboratory setting that has both evolved from and been reclaimed by nature. Rather than a sterile environment, we have nature’s own laboratory, with considered design elements chosen to represent the importance of natural origins, material evolution and botanical discovery. A soft floral palette celebrates the character, form and beauty of seasonal, British-grown flowers provided by the incredible @therealflowerco Using seasonal, locally-grown stems is so important in creating a narrative of time and place and setting the scene for the piece. Vessels created from wild, London clay by @hackney_potter represent the importance of earth and soil structure to a botanist’s work. The clay has been hand processed to retain natural impurities representative of its origins. The stage of firing the clay creates beautiful, organic variations in appearance, further adding to the idea of material evolution. I’ve allowed reclaimed iron, provided by @toppandco to oxidise over a period of time as a way of reflecting nature’s reclamation of the laboratory setting and elements returning to the soil. Using reclaimed materials was of utmost importance to me, as was sourcing metal that has this bespoke patina. A plinth riser painted in the colour ‘Sekhmet’ using plant based paint from @edwardbulmerpaint was chosen to represent the importance of soil structure in the study of plants. The willow vessels were woven by me as I felt that understanding the materials and process was key to the narrative. As willow bark contains salicin, a precursor to aspirin, its inclusion represents the impact of botanical discoveries on our everyday lives. This has been such an adventure, I’ve developed new and existing bonds with the most incredibly skilled people. The biggest thank you to Suzy, Rob, Adele, Jackie, Mollie, Kelly, Pete, my dad Stephen, my amazing husband Andrew and the wonderful @georginapiperphotography.co.uk for capturing the build of this so beautifully. Here’s to the start of the build on site at the @the_rhs Chelsea Flower Show tomorrow, it’s all in my hands now and I’m ready to bring the magic!! V x #rhschelseaflowershow

Natural glaze course 28th - 31st May @canbrull Barcelona, Spain Message @mkpotterystudio for extra details and bookong See link in bio for course outline 😊 This 4 day workshop will give you practical knowledge on how to use natural materials-such as found clay and plant ash as glaze ingredients. Through plenty of testing, you'll develop a selection of final glazes to use on your bisque pieces, which will be fired in an electric kiln. Designed as a hands-on experience, you'll learn how to identify, gather, and process natural materials. This includes digging and sieving clay, burning plants, and preparing ash. You'll follow the entire process from start to finish before heading into the studio to combine these materials in stoneware glazes. Alongside an introduction to glaze theory, you'll also learn how to combine natural materials with shop-bought ingredients to create a wider range of results. You'll then select your favourite glaze from your tests to apply to the bisque pieces you've brought along. Taught by me, Adele, a ceramic teacher with over 10 years experience, a background in fine art and a love for materials. Ive developed a ceramic practice that produces functional ware with an experimental approach. Whether digging clay to make clay bodies and slips, creating ashes for glazing or experimenting with firing techniques. My work follows a desire to experiment and understand.

Un workshop enfocado en esmaltes naturales, proceso y exploración material. Grupo reducido. Materiales reales. Proceso real. ---- A workshop focused on natural glazes, process and material exploration. Small group. Real materials. Real process. 28–31 mayo — Can Brull. #ceramicstudio #ceramicartist #potterystudio #naturalglaze #woodfiring #glazetesting #materialexploration #glazechemistry

Sneak peak into part of the clay processing ive been doing these last 2 months for a very speial project with @vanessa_jayne_design for @the_rhs Chelsea Flower Show All made with clay dug in north London, the raw material goes through a process of refining to make it workable, only then can it be used to make the pieces that will be part of Vanessas design for the Chelsea Flower Show. Vanessa has a commitment to craft and local materials that aligns so perfectly with what i do, its been a treat to work with her, and get to know her too! We share lots of the same passions and im excited to reveal this project as part of her design.

Im running a natural glaze intensive course 28-31st May 2026 hosted at Can Brull, Montseny, Barcelona, Spain Theres a link in my bio with lots of course details For all info and booking equiries please message : @mkpotterystudio they will look after you, explain the accomodation options, tell everything thats included and how to travel to Can Brull. or comment 'GLAZE' and they will message you directly (remember to check message requests) This 4 day workshop will give you practical knowledge on how to use natural materials—such as found clay and plant ash—as glaze ingredients. Through plenty of testing, you’ll develop a selection of final glazes to use on your bisque pieces, which will be fired in an electric kiln. Designed as a hands-on experience, you’ll learn how to identify, gather, and process natural materials. This includes digging and sieving clay, burning plants, and preparing ash. You’ll follow the entire process from start to finish before heading into the studio to combine these materials in stoneware glazes. Alongside an introduction to glaze theory, you’ll also learn how to combine natural materials with shop-bought ingredients to create a wider range of results. You’ll then select your favourite glaze from your tests to apply to the bisque pieces you’ve brought along. Taught by me, Adele, a ceramic teacher with over 10 years experience, a background in fine art and a love for materials. Ive developed a ceramic practice that produces functional ware with an experimental approach. Whether digging clay to make clay bodies and slips, creating ashes for glazing or experimenting with firing techniques. My work follows a desire to experiment and understand. Im passionate about helping students master essential skills as a foundation for expanding their abilities, creating work that is both beautiful and functional. #wildclay #potterycourse #ashglazes #naturalglazecourse #ceramicglazecourse

Presenting Adele Williams @hackney_potter A studio potter based at Clay Collective (Hackney, London), with a background in fine art and a practice rooted in material exploration. Her work moves from digging and processing clay, to creating ash-based glazes and experimenting with firing techniques — always driven by a desire to understand how materials behave. Teaching since 2015, she focuses on building strong foundations while encouraging an experimental, process-led approach. This is not about applying recipes, but about developing real understanding. Natural Glaze Intensive May 26–31 Can Brull Limited places available.

Clay Digging, finding, collecting, processing Drying, slaking, sieving, drying, wedging Im loving this material more than ever. Dug from exact locations, beneath our feet. Land and location A bunch of mud i turn into vessels @clay.collective

It already seems so long ago but heres a flash back to the recent exhibition It was glorious to see my London clay vases out of the studio and on show in the city they sprouted from. Alongside the nettle glazed teapot, an ode to this amazing plant thats ash can be used in glazes, its leaves in food, and its stems for making fiber and baskets, a wonder plant! WHAT’S LEFT | WHAT’S GONE This was a group exhibition that considered what materials retain and what slips away over time. I was chuffed to show my work alongside Ewelina Bartkowska @clay_diwa Charlotte Worthington @charlotworthington Catarina Moura @catarinamoura___ Emily Hana @emily.hana Barbara Beyer @beyer.ba Siw Thomas @mountainwomanpottery All curated by Lucia Jurikova @_luciajurikova_ & Jagoda Witkowska @__allora_ who were the real stars and make everything happen. @hyphastudios

Clay foraging with @mariaroyde near Barcelona Collecting clay, making stuff, meeting people - honestly its the best @esther.ceramics @cinimati @morelacolordeola @anas_rifizinati

A glorious few days in Barcelona last week Days filled with studio visits with @cinimati and @laescocesabcn , trips to search for clay @mariaroyde @esther.ceramics , trains, car rides, beaches @aurelialange , food and amazing chatterings about ceramics, glazes, life and everything @morelacolordeola @anas_rifizinati For me ceramics is about exploring materials and technique, yes... but more importantly its about community. Everywhere i go im connected to people through this craft, and feel mega blessed to spend time with so many brilliant people. London, Berlin, Salemi, Brussels, Barcelona.... No matter where we are, or what we do, we are better TOGETHER

WHAT’S LEFT | WHAT’S GONE Hypha Gallery 3 No. 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EN 30 January – 7 March 2026 Including a schedule of free events WHAT’S LEFT | WHAT’S GONE is a group exhibition that considers what materials retain and what slips away over time. Bringing together artists working through process and material experimentation, the exhibition approaches making as a way of thinking through memory, fiction, and lived experience. Ewelina Bartkowska @clay_diwa Adele Williams @hackney_potter Charlotte Worthington @charlotworthington Catarina Moura @catarinamoura___ Emily Hana @emily.hana Barbara Beyer @beyer.ba Siw Thomas @mountainwomanpottery Curated by Lucia Jurikova & Jagoda Witkowska @_luciajurikova_ @__allora_ @hyphastudios